“Seeing the photographs is nothing like seeing the situation with your own eyes” – Marina (visitor)

The Responsive Action project, earlier known as the New Glances project, under the Awareness area of work, is one that hosts visits for anyone and everyone who wishes to see the work of Mumbai Smiles, first hand. By visiting, we don’t mean taking a trip to the slums of Mumbai. NO. By visit, we mean to show the action we take to curb the vicious concern called poverty, which is possible only through the generous support of our partner corporates, members and donors. And through these visit, we aim to maintain the transparency of the work that we do with the members of the community to grow with them and ensure empowerment and development of the communities.

Recently, a young 21-year old girl, Marina, native of Barcelona, Spain and working in Austria (seasonally) visited India for the second time, and decided to take a trip to the city of Mumbai and the projects of Mumbai Smiles. The idea came to her after reading our President and Founder, Jaume Sanllorente’s book, “Sonrisas de Bombay”, in which the inception and conception of Mumbai Smiles is penned down in his own words. Intrigued by the social reality of inequality and insecurity in our city, Marina came to the office of Mumbai Smiles to see it for herself.

Starting the day with a short meeting with the Founder himself, Marina was happy to see two Preschool Education Centres and the Livelihood Centre and meet our beneficiaries. Even though the preschool children are enjoying their Diwali vacation, Marina did get to meet some of them playing around the centre, who all ran inside the centre as soon as it opened! Marina also met and interacted with the teachers of the Preschool centres and then met the women working at the Livelihood Centre currently working on a Christmas activity! Her reaction? Here it is:

“Seeing the photographs is nothing like seeing the situation with your own eyes! Reading gives you an idea of a situation, but visiting and experiencing it yourself is what hits you!” said Marina, with the promise to come back, before leaving our office with a huge smile on her face. We hope to see you again, Marina and thank you for your love and support to Mumbai Smiles!

Last year, with 154 visitors, belonging to 12 different nationals visited our projects through the year and the number is only rising this year, and we cannot thank you enough for you selfless love and support to us and for walking us on this journey of peaceful struggle against poverty! If you would like to visit us too, please write to us on info@mumbaismiles.org and we will be happy to be associated with you!